Given that it came 28 years after the same franchise he led to the 1989 Eastern Conference finals fired him and nine years after executive vice president John Paxson advocated his hiring to return as coach before Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf nixed the idea, Collins had a lot to say.

Collins always has a lot to say. Considering he's in the media wing of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his broadcasting and long has carried the reputation for owning an encyclopedic and creative mind while coaching the Bulls, Pistons, Wizards and 76ers to a 442-407 mark and engineering first-season improvements at each, much of it is powerful and prescient.

So his take on the outside perception of the Bulls as the franchise embarks upon a rebuild whose wheels initially might have been set in motion when Derrick Rose tore his left ACL against the Collins-coached 76ers in the 2012 playoffs is telling.

"They've taken a lot of hits," Collins said. "And I'm going to put my arm around (coach Fred Hoiberg and general manager Gar Forman) and Pax and say, 'Let's get that excitement and joy back on the Chicago Bulls.'

"I know being around (Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and President Michael Reinsdorf), they want this to be special again. And I hope in some little way, my way of saying thank you to Jerry for hiring me a long time ago and Pax for playing his tail off for me for three years is maybe I can give a little back to them at this stage of my life."

Collins, who will report to Paxson, won't be doing that by coaching.

"I'm 66. I have five grandkids now. And when I turned my keys in at Philadelphia and I resigned as the coach (in 2013), (son) Chris was getting ready to come to Northwestern (to coach). I knew (then) I didn't want to coach anymore," Collins said.

"One of the things we talked about when Jerry and Michael and I were together at dinner one night was the first thing is that under no circumstances am I going to coach here. And so that should not even be a question. And I know there still are going to be people who go, 'Yeah, sure, Coach. How many times did this guy retire and come back?' I get that. But I'm not going to coach. I'm not going to give up my life."

Photos of all the head coaches in franchise history. Not pictured: Scotty Robertson (26 games in 1979).

Collins also won't be replacing Forman, who ownership still backs despite vocal fans calling for his job as well as a reputation in some NBA circles for spin control over accountability.

"Doug will not be a decision-maker," Paxson said. "None of our roles have changed. Fred's our coach. Fred has had a phenomenal summer with our young players. Gar and I continue to be at the forefront of this organization."

In many ways, Collins will be tasked to replicate the success Jerry West had as a adviser with the Warriors. West is largely credited with helping nix an organization thought to trade Klay Thompson for Kevin Love.

Paxson cited Collins' "unique passion and intensity" as attributes for the hire, which first took shape during offseason meetings with Forman and the Reindorfs. The hiring process accelerated during a Labor Day weekend meeting.

As part of his 45-year association with the NBA, Collins made four All-Star teams after the 76ers picked him first overall out of Illinois State in 1973. Injuries cut short his career after eight seasons. He also owns front-office experience, a wide variety of contacts and relationships around the league and in college through Chris and others.

"Doug is here, initially, to observe the organization and what we do. He has been with several organizations over the years so he has a perspective that some of us don't have," Paxson said. "I know what this city means to him. I know what this organization means to him."

The trick, particularly with Hoiberg, will be implementing that passion and intensity without being pushy.

"My schedule is going to be whatever Pax, Gar and Fred need me to do for them," Collins said. "Where I am in my life now, I'm a mentor. That's when I'm at my best. When have coached in this league, you sort of become a wounded healer. I think Fred would probably tell you over the last couple of years — I've really not known Fred that well – but how many times I've reached out via text when you're going through tough times or whatever, just to keep doing what you're doing, keep your spirits up."

Collins called his role "behind the scenes" and both he and Paxson said he wouldn't be on the court working with players. The Bulls said Tuesday is the only time he will speak publicly.

"This game has given me the greatest of highs and it also has broken my heart," Collins said. "But yet at age 66, I stand here and I've never loved it more. I'm old. But I'm not old school. I have a young brain."